Oakland: 140th anniversary of Jack London’s birth kicks off series of events

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Jack London's great-granddaughter Tarnel Abbott talks about her famous relative during a news conference held in front of a wood cabin, that the author spent the winter of 1897-98 in the Alaskan wilderness which was discovered and moved to the Port of Oakland and dedicated on July 1, 1970, in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. The event was held to mark the 140th anniversary of Jack London's birth. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

Jack London's great-granddaughter Tarnel Abbott talks about her famous relative during a news conference held in front of a wood cabin, that the author spent the winter of 1897-98 in the Alaskan wilderness which was discovered and moved to the Port of Oakland and dedicated on July 1, 1970, in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. The event was held to mark the 140th anniversary of Jack London's birth. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

Jack London's great-granddaughter Tarnel Abbott talks about her famous relative during a news conference held in front of a wood cabin, that the author spent the winter of 1897-98 in the Alaskan wilderness which was discovered and moved to the Port of Oakland and dedicated on July 1, 1970, in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. The event was held to mark the 140th anniversary of Jack London's birth. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

OAKLAND — Fans of famed Oakland author Jack London celebrated the 140th anniversary of his birth on Tuesday by announcing a number of events planned or in the works through the 100th anniversary of his death in November.

“He remains one of the most translated authors ever. His writing is crisp, clean and natural. He wrote on several different levels. This is what makes his work so amazing and so appealing,” London’s great-granddaughter Tarnel Abbott said Tuesday during a tribute outside the re-creation of his former cabin at Jack London Square.

The Jack London Legacy Celebration 2016 Steering Committee, made up of volunteers, is organizing and keeping tabs on events to celebrate London, including walking tours and bike rides, literary talks, and art exhibits.

“We are just a bunch of volunteers who love Jack and want the celebrate his legacy and showcase what people are doing throughout the year to share his passion,” said Linda Brown of the Berkeley chapter of the California Writers Club.

The club will be celebrating London’s birthday at its regular speaker meeting on Sunday. For details, go to www.cwc-berkeley.org.

The next big event is a free walking tour of Oakland landmarks linked to London from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Jack London Square, beginning at his former haunt, Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon.

The Alameda County Historical Society is planning a luncheon featuring a talk on Jack London for Jan. 28. Details on that event will be posted at www.alameda countyhistory.org.

The Oakland Main Library, at 125 14th St., is featuring an exhibit on London through the end of March and is planning an all-city read of “White Fang” for sometime this fall, Brown said.

The Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, in Sonoma County, has a calender of its own events to celebrate the author in January and beyond. For details, go to www.jack londonpark.com or call 707-938-5216.

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